It’s Six Years Later And “Four” Is Still The Best One Direction Album

Posted On November 17, 2020

Samantha Colleran, November 2020

If you know anything about me, you know I love One Direction more than anything in this world. I’ve written about them multiple times on this blog, including for their ten year anniversary back in July. Today marks six years since my favorite album by them (and my favorite album to ever exist) was released. Four is one of the most well rounded pop rock records out there, and it was definitely not given the credit it deserved. (It was certainly Grammy contender worthy, but I won’t get into that now because that would be a long conversation).

Including its bonus tracks, Four has 17 songs total, which means there’s a song on this album to fit every possible mood. You have the upbeat and fun tracks that can brighten any day like “Steal My Girl” and “Girl Almighty”, both with 70s rock inspired feels, and deluxe edition 1975 inspired track “Change Your Ticket”. Acoustic guitar driven love songs with heartfelt lyrics like fan favorite “18” and “Ready To Run”. We also have some more dreamy romantic feels with “Night Changes”, the final single before the album release. The rock driven “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” and triumphant “Clouds” both make you want to dance like nobody’s watching (which I have done on multiple occasions, and it’s such an incredible feeling). Fast paced “No Control”, which took on a monstrous life of its own when fans decided to promote it as a single. 

We have our softer moments such as my personal favorite song from the album “Fireproof”, and underrated deluxe track “Once In A Lifetime”. Sadder moments like “Spaces”, which was rarely sung live due to the emotion behind it after the Zayn shaped hole was left in the band, and painfully beautiful “Fool’s Gold”. Tears for Fears-esque “Stockholm Syndrome” that makes you feel some sort of nostalgia you can’t fully explain. Hilariously beautiful Green Day meets Beach Boys meets Pirates of the Caribbean album closer “Act My Age” that fills my heart with so much happiness, and the upbeat metaphorical magic of “Illusion”, tie the album together into a glorious collection of music. 

This album makes me feel so genuinely happy when I listen to it. It’s comforting, familiar. I didn’t realize it when it first was released, but this album truly marked the beginning of my musical endeavors, it flipped a switch in my brain and made me want to learn more about music. Four holds such a special place in my heart, and I’m so proud to celebrate such a wonderful body of work for the sixth year in a row. Let me know your favorite track in the comments below, and if you’ve never listened to this album I highly recommend you do so immediately! Happy anniversary to the best album in the world, thank you for the memories Four!